Xiriris / Network

“My community is definitely an evolving community. It’s definitely a community that’s growing, both population-wise and mentally. I think now with a lot of different community events or social organizations, it brings a lot of us together. All of those really bridge the gaps in our community and you network like crazy with everyone here.”

“Waxanu nahay jaaliyad kobcayso, haddey ahaan lahayad tiro iyo tayo ahaanba. Waxaa intaa dheer, shirarka joogtada ah si loo sahlo isku xirka bulshada iyo sare u qaadidda wacyigalinta qaybaha kala duwan ee bulshada.”

Xiiso iyo qalbi wanaag / Passion

“We’re very passionate overall, but I think some of that passion is very much needed because when you’re passionate about something, you work very hard to accomplish that”

“Guud ahaan, waxanu nahay dad xasiloon oo imaankooda qabo taa ayaana noo horseeday runtii inaan dadaalno dabadeedna wax qabad dhab ah la nimaadno”

Garasho / Understanding

“Understanding is the biggest thing we can have. Understanding the line between me and understanding other cultures. Maybe just a little more accepting will go a long way and I think that’s just going to bring back hope.”

“Garasahadu waa deeq Alle bixiyo. Fahamka dhaqamada kale waa arrin loo baahanyahay arrintasina waqti dheer ayey u baahan tahay.”

Qaban-qaabin / Advocate

“I like providing resources and being there for the family without taking all the credit. The way that I describe myself is I tend to give them the little extra push that they need.”

“Waxaan xiiseeyaa hagidda iyo inaan hagar la’aani taageero dadka, anigoon marnaba ku manno sheegan si ay dadaal dheeraad ahi u sameeyaan.”

Cadaalada / Justice

“The idea of justice without mercy is not justice at all. The idea of allowing communities to be strong through the fundamentals of justice and equity have all been formed through my faith.”

“Fikradda ah cadaaladaan raxmad lahayn cadaaladi maaha. Diinta iyo imaanka xoogan oo kaliye, ayuunbaa cadaalad iyo sinaanba lagu gaari karaa.”

Refuge Website

Cilmiga / Knowledge

“For a person to seek knowledge, whether it’s of a good thing that he can do or a bad thing that he can avoid, God will make him easy a road to have it.”

“Qofka aqoon doonka ahi, waxaa haboon inuu u maro jid san sidaa buuna Alle ugu fududeeyaa hilideeda.”

Jaaliyadda / Community

“The things that makes us such a powerful community is our ability to make changes in so many different parts of the world [and] all of the different skills that we’re bringing to that.”

“Arrinta nasiinayso awoodda dheeraadka ahi, jaayliyad ahaan waa aqoonta iyo awoodda aah ku badali karno dunida. Xirfadaha kala duwan ee aan ku biirino dunida awgeed.”

Ixtiraamka / Respect

“Respect all mankind, all human being, no matter which faith or which race they are from. Respect all religion and respect the elders, and of course, if you can, if you can help poor people, no matter what help.”

“Karaamee dadkoo dhan, diintuu iyo jinsiguu doonaba ha kayimaadee. Dabadeedna caawi danyarta intey doontaba ha ahaatee.”

Kalsoon / Self-Awareness

“Often times we teach our girls and our women in general that it is all about the family, it’s all about doing stuff for others but we need to remind them, you need to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else…Girls can be doctors. They can help the world, they can help heal people.”

“Badanaaba, waxaannu barnaa hablahayaga oo kaliye ahmiyadda ballaaran ee uu reerka leeyahay hase yeeshe waa inaan sidoo kale, ku wacyi galinaa inay naftooda maareeyaan marka hore dabadeedna daryeelan dadka intiise kale.”

Edeb / Humility

“I kind of just want to do it for the whole community, and make the whole community proud and have a voice for everyone else. I wanted to be … the bridge between law enforcement and the community.”

“Waxaan doonayaa inaan si hufan u matalo dadkeyga dabadeedna, ka shaqeeyo isfahan la aanta dhextaalo jaaliyadda iyo hayadaha u qaabilsan dhanka amaanka.”

Xurriyo / Independence

“Independence [is]…being able to be a professional and be a part of the community and have a voice without having necessarily being a part of someone else’s identity.”

“Isku filnaashuhu, waa inuu qof yahay aqoonyahan hufan oo waxtar u leh dadka, isagoon marnaba lumin haybsoociisa nooleeyana sooyaalkiisa taariikheed.”

Taageero / Support

“I know a lot of people who were actually very intelligent who just didn’t have the right mentorship. They didn’t have people to look up to in a situation, and so they may have missed out on opportunities that they probably could have taken advantage of.”

“Waxaan garanayaa dad badan oo garaadkooda sareeyo hase yeeshee, aan helin qof wax u sheega. Sidaa darteed, waxay lumiyeen fursado badan oo ay heli lahayeen haddii la hagi lahaa.”

Dulqaad / Tolerant

“[In diaspora] you’re not just confined to your own community. You get to see that world outlook. You see different cultures, you learn tolerance and respect, and you get to appreciate what the world has to offer.”

“Qurbaha, kuma koobnid jaaliyadada oo kaliye waxaad la falagaleysaa umadadha kale. Waxana kuu muqaynayo dhaqamada kale sido kale, waxad baranaysaa ixtiraamka iyo wanaaga arrin mudan bogaadinteeda.”

Sharaf / Integrity

“We literally learned everything on our own. We’re product designers, and business is on the opposite end of the spectrum…there’s no deceit involved. We don’t try to undercut or try to get one over anyone.”

“Runtii, iskeen baan wax isu barnay. Inkastoo ay duruufaha naga xagliyeen misane, waxaanu ku dadaalna inaan iskeen wax uqabano, inagoon waxba hagranayn, cidna ku xadgudbaynin.”

Link to Titan Mixer Bottle, a FiveID design studio product

Waxbarid / Educate

“I educate beyond my capacity. My mom calls it miro dhaliso, which basically means I sow seeds. I cultivate them but they have the power and the means to grow.”

“Intii karaakeena ah, waxbaynu barnaa dadka. Taasooy hooyaday ugu yeerto guul u horseedi karto dadka lahaanshaha garaad sare iyo awood intaba.”

Marian (Asia) Nuur recently graduated from Hilliard Bradley High School. With the use of the camera, she hopes to expand her creativity in photography. Her mother bought her first camera and lens and has encouraged her to work toward her goals and dreams. The year before the scholarship, she took a photography class at school, which peaked her interest of photography even more. She loves working with people and capturing emotions and moments. She also loves the artistic freedom photography gives her because she can choose to take pictures of her interests. Through this project, she wishes to expand her photography knowledge and meet new people. She will be attending Columbus State in the fall to pursue a degree in either medical lab or dental hygiene.

Faduma Hasan recently graduated from Westerville Central High School. Her father and her uncle, local photographer Tariq Tarey, introduced photography to her at a young age and ever since, it captured her imagination. When she was growing up, Faduma’s father would set up his tripod and a couple of lamps in the living room to ask her questions for mock interviews. As Faduma got older, she watched those years of interviews and saw how she grew from a child to a young woman. Currently, she enjoys taking pictures of friends, fashion, senior pictures, using locations around downtown Columbus and The Ohio State University campus. Photography, for Faduma, captures moments and emotions. She wants to inspire girls through her photography to pursue their dreams. In the fall, Faduma will be attending The Ohio State University and pursuing a degree in business.

Aafi Hassan is a photographer and videographer.

Riya Jama is a Toronto-based diasporic visual storyteller, whose art centers on reclaiming her narrative. She is invested in her somalinimo and creating spaces where she sees herself reflected, especially in the world of science fiction, by using words and visuals to “throw black girl into space.”

Qorsho Hassan is a devoted bilingual educator and researcher. She graduated from the Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and is currently obtaining a Master’s in Education. She has conducted health and wellness research in an effort to raise more awareness about STDs/AIDS within the Somali community in Columbus, OH. In 2013, she obtained a Fulbright Scholarship to teach in Malaysia. Her experience teaching abroad inspired her to become an educator and catalyze change through intercultural interactions. She now focuses on bringing role models to dreamers in the Somali-American community through community art programs.

Ruth Smith, Ph.D., is a community artist and researcher. She is currently a lecturer for the Online Master’s in Art Education at The Ohio State University and a community engagement coach in Lafayette, Indiana. She is active in interfaith efforts in the greater Lafayette area, co-founding the Muslim Neighbors initiative as well as the Interfaith Leaders of Greater Lafayette. She uses photonarrative methods to engage people in research-based community building efforts.

Ruth Smith
Muslim Neighbors
Interfaith Leaders of Greater Lafayette